ICCFA Wireless is a bi-weekly electronic newsletter bringing members of the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association the latest government and legal, industry and association news. It is available to all ICCFA members current on their dues. Comments, questions and "hot news tips" are welcome. Write to: hq@iccfa.com.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
ALERT: Senate Considers Bill to Require S Corps and Limited Partnerships to Pay Self-Employment Tax on Profits/ Distributions
 The U.S. Senate is considering passage of H. R. 4213, the massive "American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010," which was introduced in December by Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY). With no hearings and co-sponsors, the bill was passed by the House two days after it was introduced and subsequently reported out of the Senate Finance Committee by unanimous consent in March. Of interest to ICCFA members is Section 413 of the bill that would require Chapter S Corporations and certain Limited Partnerships to pay, for the first time, the Self-Employment Tax on distributions and profits from operations.
However, Senate Amendment 4342, introduced by Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Michael Enzi (R-WY), would strike Section 413 from the legislation. It is important to note that the bill would affect all Subchapter S corporations that earn income from performing services. Companies selling goods would not be subject to the payroll tax. ICCFA Tax Counsel Les Schneider advises, "What is not clear is how the types of services that will be covered are defined. Some commentators have said that the payroll tax proposal will be limited to professional services, like doctors, lawyers, etc. Others have said that Congress will define services more broadly, so that it could cover things like funeral services. The issue is still up in the air." ICCFA recommends that members who may be potentially affected by Sec. 413 of H.R. 4213 should contact their senators to urge support for Senate Amendment 4342.
Update: Rush Bill May Be Scheduled for Committee Vote Next Week
The ICCFA has learned that Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) is attempting to have his bill, H.R. 3655, "The Bereaved Consumers Bill of Rights Act," placed back on the full Energy and Commerce Committee markup schedule, which may be meeting as soon as next week. The bill requires the Federal Trade Commission to establish a new rulemaking proceeding, dubbed "Funeral Rule II," mandating numerous contract disclosures, recordkeeping requirements, and related matters. Although a failure to comply with most of the requirements would be relatively minor, as an FTC trade rule penalties are statutorily imposed at $16,000 per violation. The ICCFA opposes enactment of H.R 3655 for this reason.
The bill would cover all sellers of funeral goods or services, including funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, monument dealers, and related businesses. Nonprofit, religious and municipal entities would also be covered although a bipartisan effort to exempt religious organizations at a May 5 markup hearing resulted in Rep. Rush withdrawing the bill from consideration. Rush opposes any exemptions, claiming that "it would gut the bill," but at this point it is unclear whether any agreement has been reached on the issue of religious organizations. ICCFA members will be alerted if and when the bill is scheduled for a committee vote.
California Funeral Master Trust Investigation Reveals $6 Million Shortfall
Approximately 300 funeral homes in California that pooled their preneed trust funds into a master trust have been told by state authorities that they must restore a $6 million shortfall by July 31 or face legal action. A number of Congressional members from California serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which is considering H.R. 3655, "The Bereaved Consumers Bill of Rights Act," introduced by Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL). These members (Chairman Henry Waxman, Jane Harman, Lois Capps, Doris Matsui, among others) could be influenced by their state's Master Trust scandal in their consideration of H.R. 3655 (see story above). The Rush bill does not provide for any federal financial oversight of preneed funds but focuses mainly on contract disclosures and recordkeeping. The ICCFA is monitoring developments and working with our California members on the issue.
ICCFA NEWS
Registration Remains Open, Walk-Ins Welcome
 Next week we will meet in Memphis, Tennessee, for the 2010 session of ICCFA University, July 23-28 at the Fogelman Conference Center at the University of Memphis.
The ICCFAU offers five days of intensive
educational programming in six "colleges" and two graduate programs:
- College of 21st Century Funeral Services
- College of Administration and Management
- College of Cremation Services
- College of Funeral Home Management
- College of Land Management & Grounds Operations
- College of Sales & Marketing
- Master's program
- CEO program
This year, there are more reasons than ever to register and to send your staff:
- The College of Cremation Services offers three certifications in this rapidly-growing market sector: Cremation Operator, Cremation Arranger and Cremation Administrator certification.
- The University moves back to its home at the Fogelman Conference Center on the University of Memphis campus.
- The College of 21st Century Services offers celebrant certification from the In-Sight Institute.
- Funeral directors can earn up to 24.5 CE credits, pending state approvals.
- Alumni (or our four-year "graduates") receive $100 off their registration fee.
- There are more "take-aways" for students than ever before, including DVDs and manuals they can take back and use at their locations.
- Networking. All colleges join together for meals, coffee breaks and evening activities. Members tell us time and again that this is where they meet new friends and incredible business contacts. Students keep in contact after the event to discuss business ideas and develop solutions to common challenges.
- This will be one of the University's biggest years ever, with attendance just under its record attendance level.
Each year, this program is rated as the best educational and networking opportunity available. Students are welcome to come for one or two years, but most continue on through four years to become ICCFAU "graduates." From front-line maintenance workers, counselors and funeral directors through top executives and owners, the program offers something for everyone. Find out for yourself what draws our students back year after year.
If you have not reserved your lodging accommodations, please do so now. Rooms are still available on campus at the Fogelman Conference Center, but the Holiday Inn across the street is sold out. Call 901.678.5410 to book your room now.
ONLINE REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE: Registration fees include all meals from Friday dinner through Wednesday breakfast. A complete program, registration materials and online registration for the 2010 session of ICCFA University are now available at www.iccfa.com.
Come For the MBA-Level Training, Enjoy the World-Class Resort
The ICCFA has contracted with instructors from two of the world's top business schools to provide customized research and training at its 2010 Fall Management Conference, October 27-30 at Camelback Inn Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona.
On the first day of the conference, John Austin, Ph.D., senior consultant in executive development for Decision Strategies International and an instructor for senior executives at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business, Georgetown University and Duke Corporate Education, will present a three-hour session on strategic planning. Based on a pre-conference industry-wide survey as well as in-depth interviews and study group sessions with some of the profession's top thought leaders, Austin will develop an exclusive "scenario report" with a five- to 10-year outlook for the cemetery, cremation and funeral service industry. He will present a one-hour keynote address on scenario-based strategic planning, followed by a two-hour workshop session in which he will facilitate a planning session using the scenarios in the report.
On day two of the conference, William Malek, strategy execution officer for Strategy2Reality LLC, former program director for Stanford University's Advanced Project Management program and author of "Executing Your Strategy: How to Break it Down & Get It Done," will conduct an interactive, experiential session on strategy execution. He'll share his expertise on how to take a strategic plan from idea to action, including topics such as recognizing necessary change, avoiding poor planning and understanding and communicating strategic goals.
The conference program will be rounded out on the final day with a presentation by employee benefits expert Scott Morsch on how the new health care laws and the choices employers make with regard to those laws will affect their companies, as well as a panel discussion on the government and legal issues facing the profession.
In addition to the educational sessions, the Fall Management Conference offers excellent opportunities for informal idea sharing, including the Fall Management Golf Tournament and several evening receptions.
The J.W. Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa is the stunning jewel of the Marriott brand and will play host to this year's conference. Rated by AAA as a Five-Diamond destination, the resort has just completed a $50 million renovation and now includes a hacienda-style entry and lobby, several spectacular new restaurants, a grand courtyard, a 36-hole championship golf course that will host the Fall Management Golf Tournament, and access to endless Arizona recreation such as swimming, hiking, biking and more. The ICCFA has secured a discount rate of $235 per night. Please make your hotel reservation as soon as possible through the resort's Web site at www.camelbackinn.com or by calling 1.800.582.2169.
For complete program details and registration materials, visit www.iccfa.com or call 1.800.645.7700.
Call For Candidates For ICCFA Board of Directors
Serving on the ICCFA Board of Directors offers members a chance to learn about and participate in the leadership of the association, and is a meaningful way to give back to the organization and to the cemetery and funeral service profession as a whole.
The ICCFA Nominating and Elections Committee is currently inviting members to apply to run for the ICCFA Board of Directors.
The committee will narrow all applications received to 12 nominees, which will be reviewed and approved by the board at the ICCFA Fall Management Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, October 27-30. Information on the 12 candidates will then be distributed to the membership, which will vote during the ICCFA Annual Convention & Exposition in Las Vegas, Nevada, March 8-11, 2011. The top eight vote recipients will serve three-year terms on the Board.
To apply, you must be a designated representative of a Regular (Cemetery, Funeral Home or Allied) Member in good standing or you must be an Individual Regular Member in good standing. The deadline to apply is September 15, 2010. Applications can be obtained by calling 1.800.645.7700 or by going to www.iccfa.com/files/BOD2011CandidateApp.pdf.
Embalmer—El Paso, TX
Currently Seeking a Licensed Embalmer in El Paso, TX.
This position interacts directly with client families during their time of need but is primarily responsible for embalming and removals thru the Central Care Facility.
Job Requirements/Qualifications:
- Associate or Bachelor's degree preferred.
- State Embalming license or state certification required, according to state regulation.
- At least one year of embalming experience required.
- Excellent technical skills
Check us out and consider what we have to offer for your career. Advanced on-line training resources, career advancement opportunities in the largest organization in our industry, attractive benefits, and a wonderful community to serve with plenty of culture and personality.
Excellent facilities and a respected funeral home in our community. Plus you'll have access to the very best training and employee resources in the industry.
For fastest consideration, send your resume via e-mail to max.mosher@sci-us.com OR CLICK HERE TO APPLY.
Equal Opportunity Employer, M/F/D/V
Sales Director
Requirements
Reports to the President
General Objective:
The Sales Director is fully responsible for leading, establishing, and mentoring the family service and preneed sales teams to deliver sales results based upon organizational and client family requirements. The overall function of this position is to build and maintain a positive business relationship with the community while overseeing sales, marketing and team-building responsibilities. The Sales Director will collaboratively work with the Board of Directors, colleagues, supervisors and organizational constituents to maximize sales goals and growth opportunities.
Primary Job Responsibilities:
- Achieve/exceed sales and productivity targets
- Able to strongly develop sales skills within team members—excellent trainer
- Understand the significance and role of a historical cemetery, metro-market dynamics, and analyze business opportunities and obstacles with an eye to improvement
- Demonstrate ability to present and articulate business strategy thoroughly
- Create an environment that will allow Family Service and Preneed Sales Advisors the ability to achieve and improve sales results
- Maintain comprehensive knowledge of client product line, marketplace and historical data
- Distribute/manage resources strategically for maximum sales impact while identifying areas of opportunity
- Ability to mentor team members on consultative selling practices utilizing industry knowledge
- Identify significant business opportunities and lead the development of the strategic sales & marketing plan
- Motivate and inspire team to achieve results with a constant focus on strong performance and quality execution
- Demonstrate cross-functional leadership abilities leading to improvement of sales culture
- Selective hiring, talent management and development
- Ensure diversity of talent
- Anticipate client-family requests or conflicts and proactively problem solve within the realm of customer service
- Spend appropriate amount of time in the field with team members
- Freely share best practices—committed to teaching, coaching, mentoring
- Efficiently manage resources according to budgetary guidelines
- Identify key performance indicators and assess skills of Sales Advisors to meet/exceed expectations within client requirements
- Act as a contributing member of the overall cemetery team to achieve sales objectives and performance metrics
- Understand the goals, vision and strategies of the cemetery to maximize potential business opportunities
- Implement and monitor all corporate policies/procedures
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree
- Minimum 3-5 years of cemetery sales management experience (prefer combination operation experience)
- Experience working with Boards/non-profit foundations
- Strong verbal/written communication and listening skills
- Well-developed problem analysis and decision-making skills
- Proficiency in Windows Applications
- Excellent coaching and mentoring skills
- Results oriented with demonstrated time management skills
- Demonstrated technical aptitude essential—systems-thinking orientation
- High level of business acumen
- Demonstrated success in building strong results-oriented teams
- Insurance licensed/ability to obtain or re-instate license prior to start date
Compensation:
- Base plus commission—No Cap
- Total first-year compensation $120k-$150k—unlimited potential
- Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, Dental, Life, 401K
Funeral Director/Embalmer—Corpus Christi
SCI is the largest Funeral Services Company in North America, located in over 40 states with over 1,600 locations encompassing 20,000 employees.
We are currently seeking a licensed Funeral Director. This position reports directly to the Funeral Home Manager. You will interact directly with client families during their time of need and is responsible for creating and maintaining a premier level of client family satisfaction.
Requirements:
- Minimum 3 years experience as a Funeral Director/ Embalmer.
- Must have a current Texas Funeral Director/Embalmer license
- Familiar with Texas Laws.
- Bilingual skills in English and Spanish
- Knowledge of MS Word, Excel and Outlook.
- Excellent interpersonal, leadership and communication skills.
For fastest consideration, send your resume via e-mail to max.mosher@sci-us.com OR CLICK HERE TO APPLY.
Equal Opportunity Employer, M/F/D/V
Attention Sales Managers!
Experienced Managers needed to help build and manage a growing sales staff. We're looking for a manager with integrity who is focused, has a track record of success and the ability to help train, motivate and mentor his sales team using a proven selling system. Great earnings potential, excellent benefits and working environment. Tremendous opportunity for advancement in one of the industry's most exciting companies, David Shipper's Indiana Memorial Group. For a confidential interview, e-mail your resume to:
mburke@indianamemorialgroup.com.
Wanted: Experience "Working" Sales Director
Experienced "Working" Sales Director to manage, motivate, hire and train pre-need and family service personnel to work in a growing, independently-owned cemetery in the suburban Baltimore/Washington area.
Our facilities include chapel and garden mausoleums, lawn crypts, on-site crematoria, and on-site funeral services. We have nearly unlimited potential for expansion of cemetery services and products with the right creative manager at the helm.
If you enjoy the challenges of getting involved in local community activities, and building a prosperous sales team in a collaborative work environment, this is a job opportunity you can't pass up!
Check out our Web site at www.resthaven.us—then give me a personal call OR e-mail your resume to me at stationone@aol.com.
Richard F. Cody, CCE, 301-639-6591.
Funeral Director—San Antonio, TX
SCI is the largest Funeral Services Company in North America, located in over 40 states with over 1,600 locations encompassing 20,000 employees.
We are currently seeking a licensed Funeral Director. This position reports directly to the Funeral Home Manager. You will interact directly with client families during their time of need and is responsible for creating and maintaining a premier level of client family satisfaction.
Requirements:
- Minimum 3 years experience as a Funeral Director/ Embalmer.
- Must have a current Texas Funeral Director/Embalmer license
- Familiar with Texas Laws.
- Bilingual skills in English and Spanish
- Knowledge of MS Word, Excel and Outlook.
- Excellent interpersonal, leadership and communication skills.
For fastest consideration, send your resume via e-mail to max.mosher@sci-us.com OR CLICK HERE TO APPLY.
Equal Opportunity Employer, M/F/D/V
Have More Fun and Make More Money in Michigan
Are you ready to work with a real sales company that recognizes performance over paperwork? Are you ready to be part of a young, dynamic, growing company where you can actually make more money while having fun?
Midwest Memorial Group, the owner of 29 cemeteries in Michigan, seeks a sales management professional to help us continue our 30% annual pre-need growth using our proven selling system.
Now let's be clear. We are looking only for professional and goal oriented individuals with a track record of integrity who have at least 2 year or more of sales management experience. If you have a track record of building a successful sales team while earning the respect of your counselors, stop what you are doing and contact us today.
Your comp plan includes impressive overrides, monthly bonus, quarterly bonus, signing bonus, moving allowance, health insurance, prescription drug coverage, and matching 401k.
To apply email your resume to careers@midwestmemorialgroup.com or fax to 866/836-3170.
Park Operations Manager for Cemetery & Crematory in West Texas
Park Operations Manager for cemetery and crematory at West Texas facility
Opportunity to grow a pre-need, at need facility with new and dynamic marketing campaign. Individual should be self motivated, with entrepreneurial qualities. Base pay PLUS!!!
Requirements:
Revise and monitor administrative procedures and policies. Prepare clear, accurate and concise reports. Establish and maintain effective PR with clients, funeral directors, monument dealers, clergy...
Minimum of TWO years of responsible administrative and supervisory Experience.
More info @ http://www.starinvestgroup.com/WesternRoses/Manager.pdf
E-mail: rcole@starinvestgroup.com
Looking For An Experienced Cemetery Sales Manager
Stewart Enterprises, Inc. is seeking an experienced cemetery sales manager for a great combination facility in one of the fastest-growing areas of Central Florida. We are nearing completion of our new three-million-dollar, 13,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art funeral home. This cemetery has a new mausoleum, new cremation garden under development and now needs the right leader.
For a confidential interview, please contact:
Michel Bourgon
Email: mbourgon@stei.com
Office: 407-894-0507 ext. 230
Cell: 386-848-3568
Attention Cemetery Sales Managers!
If you have chosen a sales career in the death care industry, then wouldn't you demand that your employer appreciate and recognize that the sales organization is the key element to their success. The fact is that at Stewart Enterprises Inc. we are a sales organization that happens to be in the death care profession. Our primary focus continues to be creating a supportive and positive environment for our sales professionals. Here are just a few of the items we provide our most important employees:
- Direct mail
- Seminar program
- In-House telemarketing
- Microsoft CRM (lead management software)
- Promotional gardens
- Courtesy space offerings
- Comprehensive benefit package
- Individual 401(k)
- Liberal overrides and production bonuses
- National and regional award trips
We currently have a position open for an experienced Sales Director at beautiful and historic Druid Ridge Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland featuring 200 acres of manicured, rolling grounds with beautiful privates estates and ample inventory, set in an upscale affluent area.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your confidential resume and cover letter to Bill Eheman at weheman@stei.com or fax to (410) 368-5822.
Opportunity. New Approach.
Death Care Industry is in Need of These Services
Saber Management is now offering Final Expense products/services in Eleven Kentucky Market areas.
We offer:
- Thousands of Qualified Prospects (They're in our files.)
- Traditional Buyer (Low cremation rate of 10%)
- Advanced Commissions
- Pro-Sales Environment
For confidential interview e-mail your resume to Joe Franckewitz,
National Sales Director Final Expense/Saber Management at jfranckewitz@sabermgmt.net
Funeral Home Manager—Houston
Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery and Funeral Home are listed in National Register of Historical Places in Houston, Texas.
The cemetery has been serving the needs of Houston area residents and Harris County since the early 1920s. With property encompassing roughly 350 acres, Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery is one of the most well-known, historic and dignified cemeteries in the county.
Location: 6900 Lawndale St., Houston, TX, 77023
- The Funeral Home/Location Manager is responsible for assisting the location in leading Funeral Home Operations. The Manager will provide support in the selection, training and motivation of location staff to assure that they create and maintain our company's premier level of client family satisfaction.
- Responsible for managing a team of Funeral Directors, in one of the largest SCI-Hispana locations in Texas, with a case load of up to 725 cases per year.
- Manage and oversee the daily operations of Funeral Home, responsible building relationships for AT NEED families.
- Must be comfortable with building significant community relationships, in addition to managing all aspects of Funeral directing in two established SCI Funeral Homes
- Directs and supervises the administrative and support services of the funeral home, repair and maintenance services, and administration. This includes approval of expenditures for operation of the funeral home within established parameters, collection of receivables, and staff and personnel actions.
- Minimum 3 years experience in the Operation and Administration of a Funeral Home. Maintains a continuing review and knowledge of the laws and policies relating to the funeral business.
- Administers all of the work schedules of the personnel of the Funeral Home.
- Plans and recommends strategies to increase the client base for the company and improves or expands level of services resulting in increased community selection on the funeral home for needs. This includes direct involvement in marketing strategies.
- Represents the company on all follow-up services provided, including customer complaints, legal activity, and contract preparations.
Requirements:
- Minimum 3-year management experience.
- Texas Funeral Director License, or the ability to gain a TX license
- Familiar with Texas Laws.
- Bilingual skills in English and Spanish preferred.
- Knowledge of MS Word, Excel and Outlook.
- Excellent interpersonal, leadership and communication skills.
- Local travel is required.
- Must have reliable transportation and a valid TX driver's license.
Company Perks: Company Car, LapTop, BlackBerry, Gas Mileage, Bi-Annual Bonus, Relocation Assistance
We offer to our valued employees: Excellent Benefits including: Medical, Dental, 401k, Life Insurance, Short-term Disability, Long-term Disability, Tuition Reimbursement and more...
For fastest consideration, send your resume via email to max.mosher@sci-us.com or
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Equal Opportunity Employer, M/F/D/V
Brand New Combo—Immediate Opening
TOP SALES POSISTIONS AVAILABLE! Beinhauer Family Funeral Homes consists of 5 locations all within a 7-mile radius of Woodruff Memorial Park. The privately owned 150-year-old Family business has an impeccable reputation in the greater Pittsburgh area. The 100-acre Woodruff Memorial Park just completed construction on a 2.5 million dollar Chapel Mausoleum.
This is a $100,000.00 sales opportunity.
We also offer Great Benefits:
- Medical & Dental
- 401K and Profit Sharing
- Direct Mail Leads
- Diversified Marketing Plan
If quality is what you are looking for, look no further. Submit your resume to Charles Rouse for a confidential interview at cwrouse@comcast.net.
Be a Part of "New Acquisitions"
We are a Private Company in the process of adding New Businesses to our family of Cemeteries and Funeral Homes.
In preparation of the upcoming closings we find ourselves in need of expanding our Sales Management Team. These are high profile businesses in great market areas with unlimited income potential.
If you are a Seasoned Sales Manager and looking for a breath of fresh air. We offer:
- Advance Commissions and Overrides
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- 401K Plan
- Relocation Benefit
- Direct Mail Advertising
- Appointment Setters
If you are interested in a confidential interview E-mail your resume with past history to cwrouse@comcast.net.
Sales Management
Recession, what recession? 2009 was by far our best year ever when we achieved a 56% increase in sales versus 2008.
Regional management positions may now be available in your area!
Senior Life Services, a large independent insurance agency operating in 20 states is expanding. Get in on the EXPLODING SENIOR MARKET selling final expense life to seniors. Easy issue, lowest rates, unlimited leads provided to you and your agents weekly. In the current recession many businesses are hurting in the USA and throughout the world, however our business is booming. Thousands of seniors purchase our product each week!
We have regional management positions available in Illinois, Ohio, Louisiana, Mississippi, West Virginia, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. We are now accepting resumes for these positions.
Requirements include a State Life Insurance License to work, but not to apply. Applicants should have a strong successful Sales Management background in either Life Insurance or Preneed Cemetery/Funeral Sales or the equivalent. You must also have shown a track record of success in both personal sales and Recruiting/Team building.
INCOME POTENTIAL—250K TO 500K+
We offer initial and ongoing training of both management and sales agents. We have an outstanding lead program (unlimited weekly), advance commissions, benefits (disability, death and retirement), annual convention, special incentives and agent & client support.
We are looking for FULL-TIME FLEXIBLE, ADAPTABLE, TRAINABLE individuals
DRIVEN TO SUCEED! CONTACT TAMMY TAYLOR AT 800-548-3249 or e-mail your resume to recruit@senior-lifeservices.com.
Simply Put... Becoming the Best
Remember the days of creating lead programs and having monies to support it? Rolling out a monthly sales contest? Recognition and award trips to exotic destinations?
At Carriage Services "The Good Ole Days" are NOW!
We are looking for driven, experienced entrepreneurs who can build successful teams for long term growth. The qualified candidate must possess unbridled energy, can energize and inspire, has the edge to make the right and sometimes difficult decisions, and execute results.
Only proven "A" Players need apply; we only have room for the best!
Current Sales Manager opportunity in our Florida market.
For confidential consideration
E-mail or fax resume to:
chuck.horvath@carriageservices.com
713-332-5417 fax
E.o.e/m/f
Place your classified advertisement with ICCFA today!
member benefits
ICCFA Supply Link Allows Easy Buyer's Guide Searching
The ICCFA Supply Link, an online buyer's guide members can use to easily search for products and services from the convenience of their computers, can be accessed directly from the ICCFA home page. The Supply Link offers a "Search" function whereby members can search according to product type or company name and can be limited to a state or to a certain radius distance from a specified city or ZIP code. Users also can narrow their search to include only ICCFA-member companies. Suppliers that are ICCFA members and exhibitors are identified as such in their listings.
Discounts at FuneralReview.com and Dignity University
The ICCFA has partnered with FuneralReview.Com to provide online continuing education at a discount for members. Founded in 2002, FuneralReview.Com is North America's largest provider of online continuing education courses designed specifically for funeral directors, embalmers and preneed counselors. ICCFA members are being provided a code for use in obtaining a discount on the site's funeral courses.
All funeral courses at FuneralReview.com are approved by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. ICCFA members in good standing can log in using a special code to receive a discounted price on the funeral service courses. If you have not yet received your code or have misplaced it, call the ICCFA at 1.800.645.7700. For more information, visit www.funeralreview.com.
The ICCFA also offers low-cost online training on a variety of OSHA topics through a partnership with Dignity University. To access the 23 OSHA courses, visit http://online.ecampustraining.com/Dignityu/.
ICCFA News Page
The ICCFA News Page takes you to sources throughout the world for industry news and updates. It brings you the most comprehensive selection of funeral service and cemetery news available anywhere, along with frequently updated general news items related to national and world events. The News Page reports the news before anyone else and is one of the most visited page on the ICCFA Web site. Stop in each day and you'll see why.
Music Licensing
The 2009 Music Licenses are available for just $248 per property, no additional fees. Covers ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Any U.S. funeral home, cemetery or related business is eligible for membership as a Music License Member. Licensing directly with the agencies this year would cost nearly $600 per location, so this price—which requires no additional membership fee—is still the lowest available to the industry.
Tax-Related Questions
ICCFA members now also have access to an attorney for tax-related questions regarding trust earnings, care fund allocations, capital gains, investments and more. The ICCFA has retained Leslie Schneider, CPA, a tax attorney with Ivins, Phillips & Barker in Washington, DC, for telephone consultations for up to 20 minutes with no obligation. To take advantage of this member benefit, call Schneider at 202.393.7600.
ICCFA Insurance Program
Administered by Alliant Insurance Services, this program allows members to purchase commercial property and casualty insurance—including general liability, commercial property, automobile liability and physical damage, umbrella liability, professional liability, workers compensation, employee benefits and more—at rates they probably would not be able to afford on
their own. For details, call 800.390.9099.
HR Law Benefit
Through an unprecedented new benefit program, ICCFA members can now access free legal consultations regarding labor relations, human resource management and employment law. Attorney Michael Pepperman of the Labor Relations and Employment Law department at Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP (ORM&H), is available to address questions on topics ranging from hiring and firing, to employee privacy and workplace violence, to wages and hours, to equal employment opportunity and wrongful discharge issues. Michael Pepperman, Esq., has spoken on labor and employment issues at several ICCFA conferences and regional industry meetings. To take advantage of this benefit, please call 215.665.3032.
ICCFA Introduces New Sales Training Programs
ICCFA introduces new sales training programs by sales trainer and professional speaker Gary O'Sullivan, CCE. O'Sullivan's two latest products include a 10 DVD Series—The Power to Sell Preneed, and a training support system called the GoSell System. Both products provide sales managers with tools and training strategies that will help them to strengthen and motivate their teams. For more details or to place an order, call the ICCFA at 800.645.7700.
ICCFA Internet Expo
The ICCFA Internet Expo is the largest online exposition in the cemetery and funeral service industry. Cemetery and funeral home owners and operators will find 300+ providers in more than 100 product and service categories. Exhibit space is provided as a free, exclusive benefit to all ICCFA supplier and professional members. Check it out today!
Fraud Prevention & Detection Consultation Service
ICCFA has retained the services of veteran fraud investigator Robert A. Garvey Jr., CPA, CFE, CrFA, CVA, to serve as a consultative resource for members' employee theft and fraud concerns. The new member benefit, the "Fraud Investigation and Deterrence Consultation Service" or FIDCS, will allow members to discuss by telephone any issues or concerns related to suspected fraudulent activity or a desire to put systems and controls in place at their locations to deter such activity. There is no cost to ICCFA members in good standing to utilize this benefit. The number to call is 866.649.1902.
Legal Advice on Cremation Concerns
Courtesy of the ICCFA Government and Legal Fund, ICCFA members now have access to pre-paid legal advice on cremation-related issues. Through this exclusive member benefit, the association has retained Poul H. Lemasters, Esq., of Lemasters Consulting in Cincinnati, Ohio. Poul is an attorney and licensed funeral director, and members in good standing may call him at 513.407.8114 to discuss cremation concerns for up to 20 minutes at no charge.
FTC 'Red Flag' Compliance Program
ICCFA now offers members a sample compliance program concerning new Federal Trade Commission rules to fight identity theft. To have the program template sent to you, please contact us at 800.645.7700 or rfells@iccfa.com.
GPL Compliance Check
Members whose businesses must follow the FTC Funeral Rule's General Price List (GPL) requirements can have their lists reviewed for compliance by attorney Poul H. Lemasters, Esq., without charge. Contact Lemasters at 513.407.8114.
CONTACT US
International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association
107 Carpenter Drive, Suite 100
Sterling, VA 20164
1.800.645.7700
703.391.8400
Fax: 703.391.8416
www.iccfa.com
Copyright 2010, International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association
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